Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Fang Qing was clearly startled when she saw me, but the expression vanished in an instant.

“Come to the company tomorrow. I’ll have Brother Xiong show you the ropes.”

Lu Yong fished a large chunk of dog meat out of the pot and stuffed it into his mouth.

“Brother Xiong is a veteran in this business. He’s got plenty of experience, so make sure you learn well from him.”

Hearing this, I quickly raised my glass and stood up to toast Brother Xiong.

Brother Xiong waved his hand dismissively. “Veteran, rookie-it doesn’t matter. In our line of work, there’s only one rule: be ruthless!”

Although Brother Xiong looked intimidating, he was quite talkative.

I learned during our conversation that he had previously served time in prison for intentional assault.

“I chopped off three of that bastard’s fingers!”

As Brother Xiong said this, I instinctively glanced at Fang Qing, who was sitting beside him.

She kept her head down, occasionally picking at the cold appetizers on her plate.

“If the cops hadn’t shown up, I would’ve slit his damn throat!”

After a few drinks, the alcohol began to show on Brother Xiong’s face.

The person whose fingers he had chopped off was a client of the company. The man had borrowed money and couldn’t pay it back when it was due; Brother Xiong had gone to collect, lost his temper, and pulled a knife.

Lu Yong’s company dealt in microloans.

He had about a dozen thugs under him, and among them, Brother Xiong had the shortest fuse and the heaviest hands.

That was exactly how he had become Lu Yong’s right-hand man, earning himself a seat in this private booth.

“Damn it, Brother Yong invited you here to eat meat, and you’re just sitting there chewing on leaves? What the hell is wrong with you!”

Brother Xiong suddenly roared at Fang Qing.

Fang Qing flinched, muttering softly, “I… I don’t like dog meat…”

Brother Xiong grabbed her by the hair, making her let out a sharp cry of pain.

“Disrespecting Brother Yong is the same as slapping Wang Xiong’s face!”

I was stunned by the sudden outburst.

“Old Xiong, what are you doing in front of my cousin?” Lu Yong scolded.

“My mistake. I was so focused on us men enjoying ourselves that I forgot girls like pets and can be sensitive about this kind of thing.”

Lu Yong made Brother Xiong let go, then ordered a few stir-fried dishes without dog meat from the menu.

“Fang Qing, don’t blame my brother here,” Lu Yong said with a smile.

“He’s just got a foul temper, but he’s not a bad guy at heart.”

“The two of you are a great match. You must never leave him.”

I wasn’t sure if I was overthinking it, but Lu Yong’s gaze kept drifting toward me as he spoke.

Fang Qing seemed terrified of Lu Yong, nodding her head like a woodpecker.

That night, having nothing to do, I went back to that same bar.

I ordered a drink at the counter.

Before I could finish a single cigarette, that familiar voice sounded from behind me.

“I’ll give you a chance to buy me a drink.”

I turned around. The sexy girl with purple hair walked over.

“Did Brother Xiong hit you?”

I noticed her left cheek was slightly swollen.

“Are you buying or not?”

Fang Qing avoided my question, her face showing a hint of impatience.

I remained silent for a moment before saying:

“Drink as much as you want tonight. It’s on me.”